Natural Comics!

I love natural hair as much as I love my Sisterlocks, so it gives my great pleasure to introduce a couple of my natural friends.




Fellow comedian Marina Franklin recently did the big chop and her short natural is quite beautiful and very becoming on her! This picture was taken at her recenty birthday party and I only wish the lighting was better to show how truly cute her hair is. Are locks in her future? I don't know. (I'm not recruiting, honest!) But do I think she'll more than enjoy this stage for a while.





At the Laugh Lounge's Feast of the Three Kings Holiday Party I snagged a photo op with another very funny comic, Grant Cooper. He has the coolest afro in NYC! I've always loved his fro. It has lots of personality and charm, just like him.

And is that me sporting Shirley Temple curls? You bet! I usually finger comb out the results of my Soft Spike Curlers, (see 12/23/05 post). But, a few folks suggested that I trying wearing my "Shirleys" as is. Well, I did and I got tons of compliments! (Thanks Cynthia!) It's not a style I'd do everyday, but it's nice to have another one in the arsenal.

Dear Sisterlocks....

I'm a little young to be sitting in rocking chair dispensing wisdom a la Dear Abby, but I got an anonymous question from "C" the other day. Normally, I would have responsed directly, but she didn't leave me her e-mail address. So here goes:

Hi Leighann: I love your hair and seriously considering sister locks. Have you had any negative reactions? I'm dating a caucasian man who loves my hair straight, what did your husband say when you decided to set out on your sisterlock journey? Hope I'm not being to personal..Thanks-C

Hello C!

The only negative reaction I had was in the beginning when I first got my locks. My Mom was quite perturbed about being able to see so much of my scalp. I didn’t like that part much either but I had my eye on the prize, so to speak. She has come to love and marvel over my locks almost as much as I do.

As far as my husband is concerned, he was nothing but loving and supportive of my hair choices from day. He’s always just wanted me to be happy. I was natural (two strand twists) when he met me, so locks weren’t a big leap.

As a matter of fact, the week of my appointment I got a bad case of cold feet. I wanted to cancel my appointment and looked for every excuse in the book: It’s permanent... we don’t have the money.... He was having none of it. He said, "As much as you’ve talked about Sisterlocks (and I did, ad nauseum), you’re getting them." He lovingly shooed me out the door the morning of my appointment. I'm glad he did.

All I can say is do your research and do what’s right for you.

[Photo: In case you're wondering, this photo was taken this past Summer sitting outside of a Cracker Barrel Restaurant. I LOVE their dumplings!!] 

How Damp is Damp? How Dry is Dry?

Anonymous Wrote:
"Your hair looks great!!!My sisterlocks are 7 months old and I look forward to eventually having enough length to curl. You mentioned that you set your hair overnight with it partially damp. I have a huge fear of developing mold in my locs and I understand that mold can develop when the hair is not allowed to completely dry in a reasonable amount of time (not sure how long that is). Any information you could provide would be greatly appreciated."

Hello Anonymous,
This is a really good question and I’ll try to answer it as best I can. It’s the kind of thing that’s so much easier to demonstrate in person. Damp is a relative term, and depends on thickness of hair and drying time. So the phrase "partially damp" might be misleading.

My Sisterlocks air dry rather quickly, but I would never wash and set them too close to bed time. At least two hours is a comfortable cushion for me. I use a Turbie Towel to soak up the excess water. I’m also not adverse to using a blow dryer on a low setting to speed up the process. I won’t roll my hair until it’s almost dry to the touch.

On a scale of one to five -- five being dripping wet out of the shower and one being completely dry -- I will begin rolling my hair (and feel comfortable sleeping on it) when it’s at about a two.

More often than not, about midway through, I end up having to use a spray bottle of water to lightly spritz the locks I haven’t rolled yet.

I hope this helps.